Rev. Fr Deusdedit Ssekabira Granted Bail in Money Laundering Case

Masaka High Court has granted bail to Roman Catholic priest Rev. Fr Deusdedit Ssekabira, who has been facing money laundering charges.

Justice Victoria Nakintu of the High Court ordered the release after determining that the prosecution was not yet ready to proceed with the trial. Fr Ssekabira had been held on remand since late December last year.

In her ruling delivered on February 10, the judge required the priest to surrender his passport and set a cash bail of Shs 15 million.

Three sureties were approved by the court. They include the Member of Parliament for Kalungu West, Joseph Gonzanga, the Masaka Diocesan Chancellor Rev. Fr Charles Jude Sonko, and Fr Ssekabira’s brother, Andrew Matovu.

The state had opposed the bail application, arguing that Fr Ssekabira might interfere with the investigation and hinder the prosecution’s case, noting that the matter is of high public interest. The prosecution also challenged the court’s jurisdiction.

Fr Ssekabira is accused of involvement in a Shs500 million money laundering scheme. According to court papers, the state alleges that between 2023 and 2025 he and others concealed the true ownership of the funds at the Centenary Bank branch in Masaka, knowing they were proceeds of a crime.

The priest, who has also served in various pastoral and youth ministry roles within the Masaka Diocese, denied the charges